Children's Books About Animals

Kids love animals -- and they love books about animals, too. From dog books to bear books to bunny books and pig books, our list of favorite animal "tails" is full of great picks. Some have funny, outlandish animal characters. Others feature wild animals in brave adventures or beloved family pets taking care of their humans. What tall these books have in common is their ability to connect with readers For more great, engaging reads, check out our Best Book Series and Picture Books.

Filter by:
Fetch Poster Image
BOOK

Fetch

age 3+

Spare text and evocative art capture dog's beach adventure.

By: Jorey Hurley (2015)
See full review
Hush, Little Bunny Poster Image
BOOK

Hush, Little Bunny

age 3+

Papa bunny protects his little one in sweet spring tale.

By: David Ezra Stein (2019)
See full review
Happy rabbit and scared bear together
BOOK

I'm Not Scared, You're Scared!

age 3+

Funny, sweet adventure story of friendship and facing fears.

By: Seth Meyers (2022)
See full review
Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs Poster Image
BOOK

Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs

age 3+

Lulu helps dog adoption effort in cute series finale.

By: Jacky Davis (2018)
See full review
Kitten's First Full Moon Poster Image
BOOK

Kitten's First Full Moon

age 3+

Kids will connect with Kitten and her dilemma.

By: Kevin Henkes (2004)
See full review
The Lion & the Mouse Poster Image
BOOK

The Lion & the Mouse

age 3+

Retold fable with out-of-this-world art; a true keepsake.

By: Jerry Pinkney (2009)
See full review
Little Cub Poster Image
BOOK

Little Cub

age 3+

Old Bear finds Little Cub, ends loneliness in sweet story.

By: Olivier Dunrea (2012)
See full review
Move Over, Rover! Poster Image
BOOK

Move Over, Rover!

age 3+

Award winner is an especially fun read-aloud.

By: Karen Beaumont , Cari Best (2006)
See full review
My Friend Rabbit Poster Image
BOOK

My Friend Rabbit

age 3+

Award-winning book with great preschool lessons.

By: Eric Rohmann (2002)
See full review
The Tale of Peter Rabbit Poster Image
BOOK

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

age 3+

Beatrix Potter's first and one of her best.

By: Beatrix Potter (1902)
See full review
We all play book cover
BOOK

We All Play

age 3+

Kids feel kinship with animals in playful, artful book.

By: Julie Flett (2021)
See full review
Bear Came Along Poster Image
BOOK

Bear Came Along

age 4+

Bear finds he's not alone in fun, eye-opening adventure.

By: Richard T. Morris (2019)
See full review
The Cat Who Liked Potato Soup Poster Image
BOOK

The Cat Who Liked Potato Soup

age 4+

Homespun tale of an uppity cat and grumpy old man.

By: Terry Farish (2007)
See full review
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type Poster Image
BOOK

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

age 4+

Farm animals go on strike in funny, award-winning book.

By: Doreen Cronin (2000)
See full review
Cornbread & Poppy Poster Image
BOOK

Cornbread & Poppy, Book 1

age 4+

Friendship tale is full of suspense and surprises.

By: Matthew Cordell (2022)
See full review
Hello Goodbye Dog Poster Image
BOOK

Hello Goodbye Dog

age 4+

Warm story of girl and her exuberant therapy dog.

By: Maria Gianferrari (2017)
See full review
Hot Dog book cover shows red dachshund with wind blowing his fur at top of stairs leading down to a beach and blue ocean
BOOK

Hot Dog

age 4+

Hot and tired pooch finds relief in cute summertime story.

By: Doug Salati (2022)
See full review
If You Plant a Seed Poster Image
BOOK

If You Plant a Seed

age 4+

Garden critters offer relatable lesson on kindness, sharing.

By: Kadir Nelson (2015)
See full review
Life Poster Image
BOOK

Life

age 4+

Dreamy, meditative book ponders life's deeper meaning.

By: Cynthia Rylant (2017)
See full review
Noodles and the No Bones Day cover.
BOOK

Noodle and the No Bones Day

age 4+

TikTok's canine star comes to life in darling picture book.

By: Jonathan Graziano (2022)
See full review